ncing jacket. Dr. Corvin had charged me with finding every place a mid-century

murmured und

essy braided hair, glanced over fr

yest

r heart in mock horror. "Though

s earlier for an administrative meeting, leaving me with strict instruction

ected monitor. Across the desk, the sharp, rhythmic buzz of a phone vibrated against the leather blotter. Anika reached out, swipe

ked, holding a scale r

un

two-fi

diagnostic tablet into a

lled intake form, and back at her. " I shou

of theatrical pity. "Dr. Cor

this before the

me. "Next thing you know, you're forty-seven, you own twelve identical cardigan

ur lunch,"

ith a dram

continental season and, according to the archivist's ledger, had stubbornly refused to let the House replace it after an Italian épée nearly par

ot of synthetic fiber in the viewfinder. The intense, white glare reflecting off th

y throat as I threw my weight back s

on Hohenzollern's presence simply flooded my field of vision. He stood directly across the

n, shifting lines of powerful muscle. Before my brain could even process the sudden proximity, the harsh white light of the lamp caugh

ternum from this morning surged

n Hohen

efore dropping to the antique w

air isn't

"The original linen repair along the shoulder seam rema

touched the corner o

Then I looked back down at the

ing to remind him... a flawless demonstration of conservation protocol. This was his family's priv

g deliberate work. I reached for the

ere for Dr

N

I fought down an insane urge to smile. "

ked, lifting his gaze to meet mine. "It is always benefi

are of professional risks, but brandishing a charge of dishonesty against the future ruler wi

the department,"

ze to the report before

gallery this morning," he quippe

s,

brough

s pledge match would provide helpful

did

willing to gamble regional in

myself instantly. "Professionally speak

ure it

her stupid, erratic flip. He glanced down at Konrad's jacket again, resting his fing

hadn't descended three flights of stairs to s

sive," I answe

d remarkably

ir."The words left my mouth half a second befor

ping back into professional decorum

nded softly. "I don't recall specify

olt openings that weren't really openings. Every time he believed he had forc

him at all, and I began to wonder if I had crossed a line,

held an épée

N

my distance contro

replied, finding my f

He took one slow step closer. It was an entirely innocent gesture, and yet the hea

alwood, anchored by the dangerously dark warmth of pure cacao absolute. I had lived alongside wolves my

shoulder inches from mine. My breath c

excuse of setting my stylus into its ch

you required, sir? Or may

watch on his wrist. "I am ke

t to formulate a response that wouldn't result in security es

s

rned the handle, and pulled the door open. "

Mr. von Ho

shut, leaving m

infuriating man," I whi